Lemon Poppy Seed Scones with Lemon Pudding Mix

I’ve used pudding mix in several recipes including lemon muffins, but I never thought to try it in scones until recently when I saw a copycat version of the Starbucks scones. That recipe calls for vanilla pudding, and since I’d purchased several boxes of lemon pudding mix for some reason (I think I was going to make a lemon version of the Quick Butterscotch Cream Pie), I was able to make Lemon Poppy Seed Scones.

Here’s a photo of the dough. I started with 1/2 cup of cream and had to add another tablespoon more, but go by appearance as you stir everything together. I like to shape scone dough into a rectangle and cut it into triangles rather than make a circle and cut wedges. Something about the sharp corners is appealing, but you can shape the dough the other way if you prefer or pat it thinner and cut it with scalloped edge cutters.

Print Recipe

Lemon Poppy Seed Scones

Scones made with instant lemon pudding mix.

Prep Time10 mins

Cook Time12 mins

Total Time22 mins

Course: Breakfast

Cuisine: American

Servings: 8

Author: Cookie Madness

Ingredients

• 2 cups 9 oz all-purpose flour, measure by weighing or spooning
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
• 1 small box 3.4 ounces instant lemon pudding mix
• 6 tablespoons cold unsalted butter diced
• 2 teaspoons lemon zest
• 1/4 teaspoons vanilla
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 cup heavy cream plus more as needed

Frosting

• 2 teaspoons butter
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1-2 tablespoon fresh lemon juice plus more as needed

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Line a baking sheet with nonstick foil or parchment.
• Mix the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, pudding mix and poppy seeds in a large bowl.
• With a pastry cutter, cut in butter until crumbly and coarse.
• Make a well in the center and add the lemon zest, vanilla, egg and 1/2 cup of heavy cream. Stir with a spoon or heavy duty scraper until dough comes together. If it seems dry, add another tablespoon or two of creamy. You should be able to bring the dough into a ball with your hands.
• Divide dough in half and on a lightly floured surface, shape into 2 6x3 inch rectangles. Cut each rectangle into 4 triangles and place triangles the baking sheet. Brush tops with heavy cream.
• Bake for 10-13 minutes or until edges and tops are nicely browned and center is cooked through. Let cool while you prepare the icing.
• Put the butter in a 2 cup Pyrex measuring cup and heat in the microwave for about 30 seconds or until melted. Add the powdered sugar and stir well. Mixture will still be powder and dry. Add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice and stir well, then continue adding lemon juice 1 teaspoon at a time until the icing is a good consistency for drizzling or piping. If piping, put in a decorating bag or freezer bag, snip off the end (or corner) and pipe over the scones.